National League of Cities Energy & Environment Committee Examines Solutions for Climate Change Impacts on South Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National League of Cities Energy & Environment Committee Examines Solutions for Climate Change Impacts on South Florida

September 20, 2013

Pinecrest, FL - In South Florida, the threat of sea level rise and salt water intrusion threatens the region’s drinking water supplies and the Florida Everglades. It also has implications for community planning with regard to water and transportation infrastructure, housing, and development. The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact represents a joint commitment to mitigate the causes and adapt to the consequences of climate change.

The compact is being held up as a national model by the National League of Cities (NLC). NLC’s Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee is in Pinecrest to discuss resiliency and climate change impacts on south Florida and the response that local communities have taken.

“Local governments often act as first responders—preparing in advance of emergency situations, offering immediate assistance to those impacted. It also must plan ahead of time by identifying strategies, solutions and partnerships to address situations quickly and efficiently. This is why the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact is an example for the rest of the country,“ said Cindy Lerner, mayor of Pinecrest, FL.

Across the country, local governments are seeing the devastating effects associated with a changing climate and recent extreme weather events—notably the recent flooding in Boulder, Colo. and Hurricane Sandy, which impacted communities all along the East Coast—have brought renewed attention to the need for cities to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to these events.

As extreme weather events become more common, local governments in all geographic regions are looking for resources to assist them in anticipating, preparing for and adapting to these events. Extreme weather events can have severe impacts on local and regional infrastructure, economies, public safety, public health, natural landscapes and environmental quality.

“Taking action now to adapt to a changing environment and create resiliency within a community will help save lives, strengthen local economies and build preparedness for future events,” said Matt Appelbaum, mayor of Boulder, CO.

The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.